Traffic Violation Attorneys in Raleigh, North Carolina

According to statistics from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), there were 863,889 total charges for all violations statewide in 2019, including 296,664 speeding and 87,313 violations. In North Carolina, traffic violations generally include speeding, reckless driving, driving while impaired, running a red light, and driving on a suspended license. Committing any of these traffic offenses may result in serious consequences, including speeding tickets, demerit points on your driving record, fines, and penalties.

If you have received a ticket for a moving or non-moving traffic violation, retaining a skilled North Carolina traffic violations attorney is paramount to protect your rights. At Life Law, we're dedicated to providing outstanding legal services and aggressive representation to clients facing traffic violation charges. Our attorneys can evaluate and investigate all the facts surrounding your case and strategize an effective way to fight your North Carolina traffic violations. We will fight diligently to protect your legal rights, refute the allegations against you, and attempt to keep your driving record clean.

Life Law proudly represents clients across Raleigh, North Carolina, and the neighboring areas of Charlotte, Asheville, and Wilmington.

Traffic Violations

A traffic violation occurs when a driver violates a traffic law or any law that regulates the operation of motor vehicles on roadways, highways, and streets. In North Carolina, traffic violations may be categorized into – moving and non-moving violations.

Moving Violations

A moving violation occurs when a driver violates a traffic law while the car is in motion. Some common examples of moving violations in North Carolina include:

• Speeding

• Reckless driving or careless driving

• Running a stop sign or red light

• Driving while impaired (DWI)

• Driving without a valid registration

• Driving with a suspended or revoked license

• Failure to yield the right of way

• Improper lane changes

• Driving without the required car insurance policy

• Hit and run accidents

Non-Moving Violations

Conversely, a non-moving violation is a traffic offense involving a motor vehicle that is not in motion. Some common examples of non-moving violations include:

• Improper equipment

• Parking at an expired parking meter

• Parking illegally

• Parking in a no-parking zone

• Leaving a vehicle unattended and running

• Parking near a fire hydrant

• Expired motor vehicle plates

• Parking in front of a driveway

• A broken taillight or headlight

• Broken or missing mirrors

• No license plate

Compared to non-moving violations, moving violations often attract harsher punishments. This is because such moving violations put pedestrians, road users, and other motorists at greater risks.

Understanding the Point System

If a person is convicted of a traffic violation in North Carolina, driver license points are assessed on their driving record. Below is the amount of DMV Points associated with each traffic violation:

• Reckless driving – 4 points

• Hit and run (property damage) – 4 points

• Passing a stopped school bus – 5 points

• Illegal passing – 4 points

• Following too closely – 4 points

• Driving on the wrong side of the road – 4 points

• Stop sign/stop light violation – 3 points

• Failure to yield right of way – 3 points

• Non-moving violations – 0 points

Traffic Violation Fines and Penalties

If you accumulate 12 points within a three-year period, your license may be suspended. Also, accumulating eight (8) points within three years after your license was reinstated can result in an additional suspension.

• First suspension – 60 days

• Second suspension – 6 months

• Third or subsequent suspension – 1 year

All previous points on your driving record will be canceled once your driving privilege is reinstated. However, having more points on your driving record will lead to higher fines and penalties. This is why it's important to hire an experienced attorney to help fight the violation and protect your driving privilege.

Fighting a Traffic Violation

Some possible ways to fight a traffic violation include:

• Refute the evidence against you

• Challenge the officer's judgment call

• Dispute the law enforcement officer's account of what actually happened

• Show that it was a mistake of fact

• Establish that your action was justified

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help

Getting a traffic ticket for violating a traffic law could mean potential ramifications to your driving privileges. Thankfully, fighting your traffic violations with proper guidance and experienced representation can help minimize the possible consequences, avoid additional punishment, get the judge to reduce your fine, or ultimately beat the traffic ticket. An experienced traffic violations attorney can help protect your legal rights and determine the best way to fight your North Carolina traffic issues.

At Life Law, our attorneys have devoted their careers to representing and helping clients deal with their traffic violations. As your legal counsel, we will evaluate every detail of your unique situation, explore your possible legal options, and craft an effective defense strategy in pursuit of a favorable outcome for your case. Using their extensive experience and legal understanding of North Carolina traffic laws, our team will represent you diligently in traffic court and dispute the accusations against you with factual evidence. Having our team on your side can mean a big difference in your traffic violation case.